Actuating mechanism for toilet flush tanks of the dual-flush type



NOV. 10, 1970 wglsz 3,538,519

v ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR TOILET FLUSH TANKS OF THE DUAL-FLUSH TYPE Filed 00"). 23, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR.

e4 GEORGE E. WEISZ HER CHANT Gouw A T TOF? NE YS United States Patent 3,538,519 ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR TOILET FLUSH TANKS OF THE DUAL-FLUSH TYPE George R. Weisz, 1507 S. 6th St., Brainerd, Minn. 56401 Filed Oct. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 769,987 Int. Cl. E03d 1/34 U.S. Cl. 4-67 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for selectively actuating a dual flush cycle in toilets having a first and second lever means which is mounted on a common pivot for operable engagement with a first and second float means, the first and second float means being mounted in the toilet flush tank to control the flow of fluid therein through the fluid outlet thereof, a handle equipped spindle being mounted in a wall of the toilet flush tank. Means including lost motion mechanism connects the spindle to the first and second lever means whereby movement of the handle in one direction causes a full flush cycle and movement of the handle in an opposite direction causes a partial flush cycle of the toilet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention In circumstances wherein a shortage of water exists or where it is necessary to use a minimum of water during flushing of a toilet, such as when the toilet is connected to a cesspool system of sewerage, it is advantageous to provide dual flushing systems which utilize a full flushing cycle for solid waste products or a partial flushing cycle for liquid waste products.

Description of the prior art Many prior art devices for causing such dual flushing cycles in toilets have been manufactured and patented. Such devices are often hard to operate due to poor leverage characteristics of the actuating mechanism thereof and multiple exterior actuating handle arrangements. Also such devices often include parts which are arranged in a manner wherein lateral forces are exerted on cooperating parts thereof in a manner to cause poor seating of the float means for stopping the flow of water at the termination of a flushing cycle or binding of the actuating lever during movement thereof. A further problem has been the wear factor between moving parts which result in poor operation and readjustment of the relative positions of the cooperating parts of the flush tank.

Some examples of patented prior art devices are shown in the following patents: 2,532,977; 2,674,744; 2,775,772; and 3,380,077.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above in mind, there is provided an improved actuating mechanism for toilet flush tanks of the dual flush type, having a fluid inlet, with a valve equipped float connected to the inlet to control the level of fluid in the tank, and a fluid outlet means. A first float means, including a vertically extended shaft having a plate on the extended upper end thereof and an adjustable stop element in spaced relation to the float means is operatively connected to the outlet means for movements toward and away from the outlet means to release a predetermined volume of fluid through the outlet means. A second float means is mounted on the vertical shaft above the stop element for movements toward the first float means and stop element to reduce the volume of fluid released by the first float means; and means is provided Patented Nov. 10, 1970 ice for releasably restraining the second float means from movement toward the first float means and stop element to permit selective flushing of the toilet.

The improved actuating mechanism comprises a spindle including a handle and means mounting same in the wall of a toilet flush tank with the handle thereof exteriorly of the tank. A bracket element extends laterally from the spindle mounting means interiorly of the tank and has a pivot pin extending therefrom, at the free end thereof, along an axis generally parallel to the axis of the spindle. First and second generally horizontally disposed lever means are pivotally mounted on the pivot pin and have operative engagement at one end, one to the first float means and the other to both the first and second float means to selectively operate same. Means, including a lost motion mechanism, is carried by the spindle to selectively operate the first and second lever means in a sequence wherein a movement of the spindle handle in one direction causes a predetermined amount of fluid to flow through the outlet means and a movement of the spindle handle in an opposite direction causes a reduced volume of fluid to flow through the fluid outlet means.

The above first lever is bifurcated at one end and has legs, disposed on opposite sides of the vertical shaft of the first float means, which are formed on an are so as to engage the fiat underside of the plate on the upper .end of the vertical shaft throughout the pivotal movement of the first lever means. The first lever means also includes a curved portion on the other end thereof which is engageable by an arm carried by the spindle to impart the pivotal movements of the first lever means on a pivot pin journaled in the first lever means intermediate the opposite ends thereof. This structure provides an extremely smooth operating lever arrangement requiring but a minimum of force to operate the spindle handle in one direction. Additionally, a minimum of binding and lateral forces are present during the above movement of the first lever means and actuating of the flushing cycle. The second lever means includes an arm portion extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the second lever means and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second spindle arm. The second lever means and spindle arm are connected together by a lost motion connection in the nature of a flexible tie element. This lever arrangement provides for movement of the spindle handle in an opposite direction with relatively little effort and with a minimum of binding of the moving parts of the toilet flush tank.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a device of the class described which is extremely simple and requires but a minimum of force to operate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the class described which uses a minimum of fluid during the operation thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the class described which requires but a minimum of adjustment, is durable and inexpensive to pro duce, and fool-proof in operation.

These and other highly important objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following specification, attached drawings, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings wherein like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toilet flush tank of the dual-flush type showing my novel actuating mechanism mounted thereon, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in horizontal section as seen from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section as seen from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing a broken line partial flush position, and portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 4- is a view in vertical section as seen generally from the line 44 of FIG. 3, showing a broken line position of the actuating lever mechanism thereof during a partial flush cycle;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section as seen from line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section as seen from the line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 4 showing the actuating mechanism in a full flush position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a toilet flush tank indicated generally by the numeral 10. A fluid inlet 11 extends from the bottom of the tank into the interior thereof and has a valve equipped float 12 connected to the upper end thereof to control the fluid level of the tank 10. A fluid conduit 13 is connected to the fluid inlet and to a source of fluid under pressure (not shown) to supply the fluid to the tank. Mounted laterally of the fluid inlet 11, in the bottom of the tank 10, is a fluid outlet means indicated generally by the numeral 14. Fluid outlet means 14 provides a connection to a toilet, not shown, and includes a valve seat 15 and a stand pipe 16 which receives the overflow of fluid in the tank 10 should the valve associated with the float 12 fail to close.

First float means .20 including a flexible ball 21, a shaft 22 extending vertically therefrom, and a disc-like plate 23, affixed to the upper end of the shaft 22, is positioned with the flexible ball 21 in engagement with the valve seat 15. A fixed bracket means 24 is mounted on an intermediate portion of the stand pipe 16 and journals an intermediate portion of the vertical shaft 22 so as to operatively connected the first float means 20 for movements of the flexible ball 21 toward and away from the valve seat 15 to release a predetermined volume of fluid through the outlet means 14. Second float means is mounted for vertical movements on the shaft 22 between the fixed bracket 24 and an adjustable stop element 26 carried by the shaft v22 in vertically spaced relation to the flexible ball 21. The second float means 25 engages the stop element 2 6 and the added weight thereof causes the flexible ball 21 to assume a lower level within the fluid contained within the tank 10 so as to reduce the volume of fluid released by the first float means 20 during a flushing cycle of the tank '10 as will be described in greater detail during the description of the operation hereinafter.

Means for releasably restraining the second float means 25 from movement toward the stop element 25 and flexible ball 21 of the first float means 20, to permit the aforementioned predetermined volume of fluid to flow through the outlet means 14 during a flushing cycle of the tank 10, includes a sleeve 30 telescopically received over a vertically projecting boss 31 which is formed as a part of the bracket element 24. A pair of ears 32 project laterally from the sleeve 30 and serve to pivotally mount a 'hookequipped latch element 33 for movements toward and away from a latch detent portion 25a carried by the second float means 25. As shown, particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, sleeve 30 extends between the fixed bracket 24 to a point closely spaced to the disc-like plate 23. The slight clearance provided between the sleeve 30 and disclike plate 23 permits the flexible ball 21 to assume a position on the valve seat 15 and assures that fluid in the tank 10 will not enter the fluid outlet 14 during periods of nonuse.

The improved actuating mechanism of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 34, and

includes a spindle 35 having a handle 35a extending radially therefrom along a generally horizontal axis. A sleeve 36, including an enlarged head 37, is mounted to extend through the front wall of the tank 10 and journal the spindle 35 for rotation therein with the handle 35a thereof exteriorly of the tank 10. A sealing Washer 3 8 and a nut 39 threadedly engaged on the sleeve 36 fixed y secures the spindle 35 and head 37 with respect to the front wall of the tank 10. A bracket element 4 5 is fixedly mounted on the sleeve 36 by means of a second nut 46 having threaded engagement with the sleeve 36, initeriorly of the tank 10, in a direction generally toward the plate 23. A pivot pin 47 extends from the free outer end of the bracket element on an axis generally parallel to the axis of the spindle 35.

First and second generally horizontally disposed lever means 48, 49 are mounted on the pivot pin 47 for rotation with respect thereto. Each of the first and second lever means 48, 49 has operative engagement at one end, one to the first float means 20 and the other to both the first and second float means 20, 25, to selectively operate same as will be presently described in greater detail. Stop means 54 carried by the bracket means 45 laterally outwardly of the pivot pin 47 underlies the first and second lever means 48, 49 and maintains same in the generally horizontal position shown by full lines in FIG. 4.

As shown, particularly in FIGS. 24, and 7, the end of the first lever means 48, having operative engagement with the float means 20 is bifurcated to provide laterally spaced legs 55. The legs 55 are disposed one each on opposite sides of the vertical shaft 22, the sleeve 30 and the vertically projecting boss 31 of bracket 24. Also, each of the legs 55 is formed on an arc whereby the upper surface thereof engages the flat under surface of the plate 23 throughout the pivotal movements of the first lever means 48 on the pivot pin 47. With this arrangement a minimum of lateral forces are exerted by the first lever means 48 on the first float means 20 during movement thereof by the lever means 48. Additionally during pivotal movements of the lever 48 on the pivot pin 47 the bifurcated legs 55 never engage the edge of the plate 23. This prevents any undue wear therebetween during repeated operations thereof. It will be noted by reference to FIGS. 4 and 7 that the bracket means 45 is secured in a position wherein the stop 54 underlines the first and second bracket means 48, 49 such as to maintain same in a generally horizontal position with the legs 55 of the bifurcated end of the first lever means 48 in a position immediately adjacent to the underside of the disc-like plate 23. Also, as seen particularly in FIGS. 4 and 7, first lever means 48 is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 47 intermediate the legs 55 thereof and an arcuately curved portion 56 formed on the other end thereof for a reason to become apparent hereinafter.

The second lever means 49 includes a laterally offset portion 57 having an outer free end which terminates in vertically spaced relation to the hook equipped latch element 33. Hook equipped latch element 33 includes an angularly disposed arm 33a which has operative connection to the free end of the portion 57 of second lever means 49 by means of a flexible tie element 58. Thus, pivotal movements of the portion 57 of the second lever means 49 about the axis of the pivot pin 47 in a direction vertically away from the second float element 25 causes the hook equipped latched element 33 to become disengaged from the latch detent 25a, of the second float element 25, resulting in the second float element 25 being released from its restrained full line position of FIG. 3. Further pivotal movement of the second lever means 49 causes the sleeve 30 to be moved vertically upwardly with respect to the boss 31. Upward movement of the sleeve 30 causes engagement of the upper end thereof with the disc-like plate 23 so as to vertically displace the flexible ball 21 from the valve seat 15 of outlet 14.

Means, including lost motion means, carried by the spindle 35 for selectively operating the first and second lever means 48, 49 in a sequence wherein, a movement of the handle 36 in one direction causes the first float means to be vertically displaced from the fluid outlet means 14 and a predetermined volume of fluid to flow through the fluid outlet means 14, and a movement of the handle 36 in an opposite direction causes the release of the second float means and vertical displacement of the first float means 20 from the fluid outlet 14 to permit a reduced volume of fluid to flow through the fluid outlet means 14, includes first and second spindle arms 60, 61. Arm 61 is mounted on a squared end 63 of spindle so as to project generally vertically therefrom and for common movements therewith. A cotter key serves to retain the arm 61 on the squared end 63 of the spindle 35. Arm 60 is welded to the arm 61 for common movements therewith and extends therefrom in a direction generally toward the pivot pin 47. In this manner the end portion 62 of arm 61 engages the curved portion 56 of the first lever means 48 and, upon rotation of the spindle 35 by the handle 35a, urges the curved portion 56 downwardly to rotate the first lever means 48 on the axis of the pivot pin 47. A pair of fingers 64 extending from the end portion 62 of the arm 60 lie on opposite sides of the curved portion 56 so as to guide same during relative movements of the arm 60 and curved portion 56. A stop pin 65 positioned at the free end of the curved portion 56 is engageable by the fingers 64 of the first spindle arm 60 during movements thereof to prevent disengagement of the first arm 60 from the curved portion 56.

The second lever means 49 includes an arm portion 66 which extends laterally upwardly therefrom in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the lever 49 at a point adjacent the pivotal connection thereof to the pivot pin 47. Arm 66 of lever means 49 extends generally parallel to second spindle arm 61 and has lost motion means in the nature of a flexible tie element 67 connected to and extending between the upper free ends of the arms 61 and 66. With this arrangement, it will be seen, by reference to FIG. 7, that upon movement of the first spindle arm 60 along the curved portion 56 of lever means 48 arm 61 is permitted of common movements therewith by the flexible element 67. Conversely, by reference to FIG. 4, it will be seen that movement of the handle 35a in an opposite or downward direction causes the first spindle arm 60 to disengage from the curved portion 56 of lever 48 and arm 61, together with the tie element 67, operates to exert a force on the arm 66 so as to rotate the lever 49 on the axis of the pivot pin 47. It will be noted that when the spindle arm 60 is disengaged from the curved portion 56 of lever means 48 or when flexible tie element 67 is in the relaxed position of FIG. 7 the lever means 48, 49 are maintained in their generally horizontal full line positions of FIG. 4 by stop 54.

It has been found that most toilets, before any mineral build-ups or restrictions of the passages thereof, require a lesser amount of fluid than that contained within the tank to cause flushing action of the waste deposits in the toilet whether they be liquid or solids.With this in mind, the actuating mechanism 34 has been arranged so that a normal downward movement of the spindle handle 35a causes a partial flushing action of the toilet. That is, downward movement of the handle 35a causes the arms 61,

66 to assume the broken line position of FIG. 4 wherein the free end of the portion 57 of the lever 49 is raised to disengage the hook equipped latch element 33 from the latch detent 25a connected to the second float means 25. During upward movement of the portion 57 of lever means 49 unlatching movements of the hook equipped latch element 33 allows the sleeve 30 to move upwardly in concert with the portion 57 of lever means 49. Upward movement of the sleeve 30 causes the upper end thereof to engage the disc-like plate 23 and vertically dis place the flexible ball 21 from the valve seat 15 of the fluid outlet 14. Since the second float means 25 has been re- 7 leased from its restrained full line position of FIG. 3 the added weight thereof against the stop element 26 causes the flexible ball 21 to seek a lower level within the fluid of the tank 10. Consequently, the flexible ball 21 will seat on the valve seat 15 of the fluid outlet 14 before the entire contents of the tank 10 have flowed through the fluid outlet 14. As the handle 35a is released, the sleeve 30 and hook equipped latch element 33 carried thereby return to the full line position of FIG. 3. Fluid entering the tank 10, through the valve of the float 12, raises the level of fluid in the tank 10 and second float means 25 is returned to its full line position of FIG. 3 by the rising of the fluid in the tank.

Should the toilet contain a large amount of solid waste material wherein a large amount of fluid would be required to flush same from the toilet, handle 35a is moved in an opposite or upward direction to cause spindle arm 60 to engage the curved portion 56 of first lever means 48 and pivot same about the axis of pivot pin 47. Such pivotal movement causes the upper surface of the curved legs of the bifurcated ends of first lever means 48 to engage the flat under surface of the disc-like plate 23 and, through the medium of the vertical shaft 22, vertically displace the flexible call 21 from the valve seat 15 of fluid outlet 14. Since the second float means 25 is restrained in the full line position of FIG. 3, flexible ball 21 moves upwardly a distance allowed by the stop element 26 engaging the second float means 25 and the fluid in the tank 10 is allowed to flow through the outlet 14. As the fluid level in the tank recedes, the flexible ball 21 seeks a level on the upper surface of the fluid since the second float element 25 is restrained in its full line position of FIG. 3 and cannot provide added weight to the flexible float element 20. It will be noted that during the pivotal movements of the first lever means 48 that relatively even vertical forces are exerted 'on the flat underside surface of the disc-like plate 23 by the arcuately formed legs 55. Such arcuately formed legs 55 preclude any engagement thereof with the peripheral edge portion of the disc like plate 23 so as to prevent undue wear therebetween or binding thereof which could possibly result in lateral displacement of the first float means 20 and subsequent misalignment thereof with the valve seat 15 of outlet 14. Such misalignment of course would lead to excessive use of fluid or of water and/ or possible damage to sewerage systems such as cesspools and septic tanks or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. Improvements in actuating mechanism for toilet flush tanks of the dual flush type having:

(a) a fluid inlet;

(b) a valve equipped float connected to said inlet to control the fluid level of the tank;

(c) a fluid outlet means;

(d) first float means including a vertically extended shaft having a plate on the extended upper end thereof and an adjustable stop element on said shaft in spaced relation to said first float means;

(e) bracket means operatively connecting said first float means for movements toward and away from said outlet means to release a predetermined volume of fluid through said outlet means;

(f) second float means mounted on the vertical shaft of said first float means above the stop element thereof for movements therealong toward the first float means and stop element to reduce the volume of fluid released by the first float means and (g) means for releasably restraining said second float means from movement toward said stop element and first float means to permit selective flushing of the toilet, the improvement comprising;

(1) a spindle, including a handle extending radially therefrom;

(2) means mounting said spindle for rotary movements in the wall of the flush tank with said handle thereof positioned exterior of the tank;

(3) a bracket element extending laterally from said means mounting said spindle interiorally of the tank;

(4) a pivot pin extending from the free outer end of the bracket means on an axis generally parallel to the axis of said spindle;

(5) first and second generally horizontally disposed lever means pivotally mounted on said pivot pin and having operative engagement at one end, one to the first float means and the other to both said first and sceond float means to selectively operate same; and

(6') means including a lost motion mechanism carried by said spindle for selectively operating said first and second lever means in a sequence wherein a movement of said handle in one direction causes said predetermined amount of fluid to flow through said fluid outlet means and a movement of said handle in an opposite direction causes a reduced volume of fluid to flow through said fluid outlet means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in further combination with stop means carried by said bracket means laterally outwardly of said pivot pin and underlying said first and second lever means to maintain same in a general- 1y horizontal position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first lever means operates to cause the predetemined flow of fluid through said fluid outlet means and said second lever means operates to cause a reduced volume of fluid to flow through said fluid outlet means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said first lever means is bifurcated at said one end and in which the legs of said bifurcated end are disposed one each on opposite sides of the vertical shaft of said first float means t 6. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said first lever means is pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends and in which the other end thereof is formed to define an arcuately curved portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said means carried by said spindle for operating said first and second lever means includes first and second spindle arms mounted for common movements with said spindle, said first spindle arm engageable with said curved portion of said first lever means to rotate same on said pivot pin responsive to movement of said spindle handle in said one direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in further combination with guide means extending from said first spindle arm on opposite sides of said curved portion and stop means adjacent the free end of said curved portion engageable by said first spindle arm to limit movement thereof toward the free end of said curved portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said second lever means includes an arm portion extending laterally in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of said second lever means and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second spindle arm and in which said lost motion means is a flexible tie element connecting the free ends of said arm portion and said second spindle arm whereby movement of said spindle handle in said opposite direction releases said second float means and raises said first float means to cause a reduced volume of fluid to flow through said outlet valve means due to the weight of said second float means on said first float means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,532,977 12/1950 White 437 XR 3,026,536 3/1962 Wood 457 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner R. J. SHER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 437 

